Step-by-Step Guide to Troubleshooting Windows Server 2016 Active Directory Replication Issues

Step 1: Verify Replication Status

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

2. Run the command:

   repadmin /replsummary

   This command provides a summary of the replication status across all domain controllers.

Step 2: Check Event Logs

1. Open Event Viewer.

2. Navigate to Applications and Services Logs > Directory Service.

3. Look for any errors or warnings related to replication.

Step 3: Use Repadmin to Check Replication Partners

1. Run the command:

repadmin /showrepl

   This command shows the replication status for each domain controller.

Step 4: Check Network Connectivity

1. Ensure that all domain controllers can communicate with each other.

2. Use the `ping` command to test connectivity:

   ping <DomainControllerName>

Step 5: Verify DNS Configuration

1. Ensure that all domain controllers are using the correct DNS settings.

2. Check that the DNS records for each domain controller are present and correct:

   nslookup <DomainControllerName>

Step 6: Force Replication

1. To force replication, run the command:

   “`

   repadmin /syncall /e /d /A /P

   “`

   This command forces synchronization across all domain controllers.

Step 7: Check for Active Directory Database Issues

1. Run the command:

   “`

   dcdiag /test:replications

   “`

   This command checks the health of the Active Directory replication.

Step 8: Review the Site and Services Configuration

1. Open Active Directory Sites and Services.

2. Ensure that the sites and subnets are correctly configured and that the domain controllers are in the correct sites.

3. Test ADSS with existing PS scripts.

4. Check for ISTG anomalies.

Step 9: Check for Firewall Issues

1. Ensure that the necessary ports for Active Directory replication (TCP 135, 389, 636, 3268, 3269, and 5722) are open on firewalls.

Step 10: Review Time Synchronization

1. Ensure that all domain controllers are synchronized to the same time source.

2. Use the command:

   “`

   w32tm /query /status

   “`

Step 11: Restart the Active Directory Domain Services

1. If issues persist, consider restarting the Active Directory Domain Services on the affected domain controller.

Step 12: Consult Microsoft Documentation

1. If the issue is still unresolved, refer to the official Microsoft documentation or support for further assistance.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve most Active Directory replication issues in Windows Server 2016. If problems persist, consider reaching out to Microsoft support for more in-depth troubleshooting.

Advanced Troubleshooting 

Advanced Replication Testing for Domain Controller Troubleshooting

Step 1: Check Replication Status with Detailed Output

1. Use Repadmin for Detailed Replication Status

   “`cmd

   repadmin /showrepl * /csv >replication_status.csv

   “`

   This command exports the replication status of all domain controllers to a CSV file for easier analysis.

Step 2: Analyze Replication Latency

1. Check Last Replication Time

   “`cmd

   repadmin /showrepl <DCName>

   “`

   Look for the “Last Attempt” and “Last Success” timestamps to identify any latency issues.

2. Calculate Replication Latency

   Compare the “Last Success” time with the current time to determine if there is significant latency.

Step 3: Use DCDiag for Comprehensive Testing

1. Run DCDiag with Replication Tests

   “`cmd

   dcdiag /test:replications /v

   “`

   This command provides verbose output on replication health, including any errors or warnings.

2. Check Specific Domain Controller

   “`cmd

   dcdiag /s:<DCName> /test:replications /v

   “`

Step 4: Verify Naming Contexts

1. Check Naming Contexts on Each Domain Controller

   “`cmd

   repadmin /showrepl <DCName> <NamingContext>

   “`

   Ensure that all domain controllers have the same naming contexts and that they are replicating correctly.

Step 5: Force Replication and Monitor

1. Force Replication

   “`cmd

   repadmin /syncall <DCName> /e /d /A /P

   “`

   This command forces replication and can help identify immediate issues.

2. Monitor Replication with Event Viewer

   – Open Event Viewer and navigate to Applications and Services Logs > Directory Service.

   – Look for Event ID 1311, 1566, or 2042, which indicate replication issues.

Step 6: Check for Lingering Objects

1. Identify Lingering Objects

   “`cmd

   repadmin /removelingeringobjects <DCName> <SourceDC> <NamingContext>

   “`

   This command helps identify and remove lingering objects that can cause replication failures.

Step 7: Review Active Directory Sites and Services

1. Check Site Links and Replication Schedules

   – Open Active Directory Sites and Services.

   – Ensure that site links are configured correctly and that replication schedules are appropriate.

Step 8: Use PowerShell for Advanced Queries

1. Get Replication Status with PowerShell

   “`powershell

   Get-ADReplicationPartnerMetadata -Target <DCName> -Scope Domain

   “`

   This command retrieves detailed replication partner metadata.

2. Check Replication Health

   “`powershell

   Get-ADReplicationFailure -Target <DCName>

   “`

Step 9: Analyze Network Traffic

1. Use Network Monitoring Tools

   – Tools like Wireshark can help analyze network traffic between domain controllers to identify any connectivity issues.

Step 10: Review Time Synchronization

1. Check Time Configuration

   “`cmd

   w32tm /query /status

   “`

   Ensure that all domain controllers are synchronized to the same time source, as time discrepancies can cause replication issues.

Conclusion

By following these advanced steps, you can perform a thorough analysis of Active Directory replication issues specific to domain controllers. If problems persist after these tests, consider engaging Microsoft support for further assistance.

Step 1: Verify Replication Status

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

2. Run the command:

   “`

   repadmin /replsummary

   “`

   This command provides a summary of the replication status across all domain controllers.

Step 2: Check Event Logs

1. Open Event Viewer.

2. Navigate to Applications and Services Logs > Directory Service.

3. Look for any errors or warnings related to replication.

Step 3: Use Repadmin to Check Replication Partners

1. Run the command:

   “`

   repadmin /showrepl

   “`

   This command shows the replication status for each domain controller.

Step 4: Check Network Connectivity

1. Ensure that all domain controllers can communicate with each other.

2. Use the `ping` command to test connectivity:

   “`

   ping <DomainControllerName>

   “`

Step 5: Verify DNS Configuration

1. Ensure that all domain controllers are using the correct DNS settings.

2. Check that the DNS records for each domain controller are present and correct:

   “`

   nslookup <DomainControllerName>

   “`

Step 6: Force Replication

1. To force replication, run the command:

   “`

   repadmin /syncall /e /d /A /P

   “`

   This command forces synchronization across all domain controllers.

Step 7: Check for Active Directory Database Issues

1. Run the command:

   “`

   dcdiag /test:replications

   “`

   This command checks the health of the Active Directory replication.

Step 8: Review the Site and Services Configuration

1. Open Active Directory Sites and Services.

2. Ensure that the sites and subnets are correctly configured and that the domain controllers are in the correct sites.

3. Test ADSS with existing PS scripts.

4. Check for ISTG anomalies.

Step 9: Check for Firewall Issues

1. Ensure that the necessary ports for Active Directory replication (TCP 135, 389, 636, 3268, 3269, and 5722) are open on firewalls.

Step 10: Review Time Synchronization

1. Ensure that all domain controllers are synchronized to the same time source.

2. Use the command:

   “`

   w32tm /query /status

   “`

Step 11: Restart the Active Directory Domain Services

1. If issues persist, consider restarting the Active Directory Domain Services on the affected domain controller.

Step 12: Consult Microsoft Documentation

1. If the issue is still unresolved, refer to the official Microsoft documentation or support for further assistance.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve most Active Directory replication issues in Windows Server 2016. If problems persist, consider reaching out to Microsoft support for more in-depth troubleshooting.

Advanced Troubleshooting 

Advanced Replication Testing for Domain Controller Troubleshooting

Step 1: Check Replication Status with Detailed Output

1. Use Repadmin for Detailed Replication Status

   “`cmd

   repadmin /showrepl * /csv >replication_status.csv

   “`

   This command exports the replication status of all domain controllers to a CSV file for easier analysis.

Step 2: Analyze Replication Latency

1. Check Last Replication Time

   “`cmd

   repadmin /showrepl <DCName>

   “`

   Look for the “Last Attempt” and “Last Success” timestamps to identify any latency issues.

2. Calculate Replication Latency

   Compare the “Last Success” time with the current time to determine if there is significant latency.

Step 3: Use DCDiag for Comprehensive Testing

1. Run DCDiag with Replication Tests

   “`cmd

   dcdiag /test:replications /v

   “`

   This command provides verbose output on replication health, including any errors or warnings.

2. Check Specific Domain Controller

   “`cmd

   dcdiag /s:<DCName> /test:replications /v

   “`

Step 4: Verify Naming Contexts

1. Check Naming Contexts on Each Domain Controller

   “`cmd

   repadmin /showrepl <DCName> <NamingContext>

   “`

   Ensure that all domain controllers have the same naming contexts and that they are replicating correctly.

Step 5: Force Replication and Monitor

1. Force Replication

   “`cmd

   repadmin /syncall <DCName> /e /d /A /P

   “`

   This command forces replication and can help identify immediate issues.

2. Monitor Replication with Event Viewer

   – Open Event Viewer and navigate to Applications and Services Logs > Directory Service.

   – Look for Event ID 1311, 1566, or 2042, which indicate replication issues.

Step 6: Check for Lingering Objects

1. Identify Lingering Objects

   “`cmd

   repadmin /removelingeringobjects <DCName> <SourceDC> <NamingContext>

   “`

   This command helps identify and remove lingering objects that can cause replication failures.

Step 7: Review Active Directory Sites and Services

1. Check Site Links and Replication Schedules

   – Open Active Directory Sites and Services.

   – Ensure that site links are configured correctly and that replication schedules are appropriate.

Step 8: Use PowerShell for Advanced Queries

1. Get Replication Status with PowerShell

   “`powershell

   Get-ADReplicationPartnerMetadata -Target <DCName> -Scope Domain

   “`

   This command retrieves detailed replication partner metadata.

2. Check Replication Health

   “`powershell

   Get-ADReplicationFailure -Target <DCName>

   “`

Step 9: Analyze Network Traffic

1. Use Network Monitoring Tools

   – Tools like Wireshark can help analyze network traffic between domain controllers to identify any connectivity issues.

Step 10: Review Time Synchronization

1. Check Time Configuration

   “`cmd

   w32tm /query /status

   “`

   Ensure that all domain controllers are synchronized to the same time source, as time discrepancies can cause replication issues.

Conclusion

By following these advanced steps, you can perform a thorough analysis of Active Directory replication issues specific to domain controllers. If problems persist after these tests, consider engaging Microsoft support for further assistance.